How to Sound Intelligent in a Speech or Sales Presentation

If you are delivering a sales presentation, keynote speech, Board of Directors up date choose your words carefully to build credibility, sound intelligent, and make your message understood. When you do, you can be repeated frequently from boardroom to convention hall. Your goal is to speak in a way that gives you a competitive edge.

The One “Thing” to Avoid
By Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE

The one thing you should always avoid when you speak is—“thing.” What a fuzzy, flabby, non-
specific word! Never be vague if you want to be believed. Use exact, precise words—words with power and value.

People tune out when they hear weak, overused, catch-all words. Yet, it’s all too easy to become sloppy when giving advice to our audiences. For example, how many times have you heard a speaker say, “There is one thing that determines your success”?

In our recent speech coaching camp, I was amazed how often we heard the word thing. Sitting there, I started jotting down some words that could substituted for thing whenever we’re are tempted to be lazy with language. The next time you hear a speaker (maybe even you) use the word “thing,” jot down the sentence and substitute a stronger, more specific word. Below are some that I jotted down randomly as I sat in the back of the seminar room. (I’ve alphabetized them for your convenience.) I bet you can come up with many more. What words would you substitute?

“The most important ____________ is…

Sales Presentation Skills Trainer Patricia Fripp

approach
assumption
attitude
challenge
commitment
conclusion
condition
consideration
deduction
deliberation
detail
discipline
distraction
element
event
example
exercise
experience
fact
focus
habit
idea
image
inspiration
instruction
lesson
message
method
miracle
moment
necessity
opinion
opportunity
option
organization
paradox.
perception
philosophy
practice
precaution
principle
problem
process
program
reason
reflection
routine
safeguard
secret
sentiment
speculation
speech
strategy
tendency
thought
thought
view
way
 

Just imagine how many specific words you could come up with to replace the vague word thing with very little consideration? Think about these words, carry them with you, and use them to add more power and precision to your presentations and conversations.

Choose your words carefully to build credibility, sound intelligent, and make your message understood. When you do, you can be repeated frequently from boardroom to convention hall.
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Patricia Fripp is indemand as a sales presentation skills trainer to company’s such as ADP, Business Objects, Veritas Software.

Known as a speaker’s speaker she partners with Alan Weiss, who is the consultant’s consultant in The Odd Couple Marketing Seminar.

How to Build a Profitable Speaking and Consulting Business

Alan Weiss and Patricia Fripp at The Odd Couple Marketing & Strategy Seminar for Speakers, Consultants, and Coaches

Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE is an executive speech coach, sales presentation skills trainer, and award-winning keynote speaker. www.fripp.com

Posted in Public Speaking & Presentations, Sales Presentations, Speech Coaching by Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE.